- #1
RICKYtan
- 23
- 0
Do the formation of auroras always occur in circles/ovals/ellipses?? What causes the shape of their formation?
Do all auroras occur in circles?
- Context: High School
- Thread starter RICKYtan
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the shapes of auroras, specifically whether they always occur in circular, oval, or elliptical formations. Participants explore the causes of these shapes and their appearance from different perspectives, including from space.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions the assumption that auroras form in geometrically regular shapes, noting a lack of evidence from visual observations.
- Another participant suggests that the shapes may be more accurately described as mostly circular when viewed from space.
- A participant mentions that the circular formation of auroras could be related to the concentration of magnetic field lines near the poles, implying a connection between magnetic flux density and visual appearance.
- There is a reference to a picture of an aurora on Saturn, indicating that auroras may exhibit similar characteristics on other planets.
- One participant explains that the Earth's magnetic field behaves similarly to a bar magnet, which influences the motion of ions and their resulting patterns in the atmosphere.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on whether auroras always form in circular shapes, with some suggesting they are mostly circular while others challenge the idea of regular geometric shapes. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the definitive nature of auroral shapes.
Contextual Notes
Participants have not reached a consensus on the exact shapes of auroras, and there are assumptions about the perspective from which they are viewed (e.g., from space). The discussion also touches on the influence of magnetic fields on auroral formation without resolving the complexities involved.
- #2
- 19,385
- 15,617
I've never heard of auroras occurring in geometrically regular shapes. What makes you think they do? Have you ever looked at pictures of them? Did you see any geometrically regular shapes?RICKYtan said:
- #3
- 11,326
- 8,755
I think he means as seen from space.
Yes they do. See the attached picture.
Yes they do. See the attached picture.
- #4
- 19,385
- 15,617
Ah. Good point. I've never seen them from spaceanorlunda said:
- #5
- 11,326
- 8,755
I should have said mostly circular, not all circular.
- #6
- 11,326
- 8,755
Even cooler, this picture is an aurora on Saturn
- #7
Electron Spin
- 52
- 28
Would it be safe to say that the viewed circular ionized particles follow the concentric concentration of magnetic lines of the planet poles and hence more flux density, visuals, closer to the poles?
- #8
- 11,326
- 8,755
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora
There are many interesting things to learn about Aurora. I recommend reading the entire wiki article.
There are many interesting things to learn about Aurora. I recommend reading the entire wiki article.
- #9
Khashishi
Science Advisor
- 2,812
- 491
The Earth's magnetic field is very similar to a bar magnet. Ions (such as from the solar wind, or other cosmic events) are confined to magnetic field lines by the Lorentz force, which causes them to gyrate around magnetic field lines. The ions are guided by the magnetic field lines to the poles of the Earth, where the magnetic field lines penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.
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